Greetings Eco Traveler!

I’m glad you found your way to Woods & Water Ecotours!

I welcome you to join us in experiencing the quiet beauty of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. This place is rich with ecological biodiversity and friendly people who appreciate the wildness and unique heritage of this region.

Over 15 years of professional conservation work with organizations like Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and The Nature Conservancy, my network of conservationists and science expertise has grown. On many of our trips you will have an opportunity to meet some of these biologists and wildlife experts and experience the places they love to work. Each trip also features a unique cultural and human heritage component where you may get to listen to Native American drummers or story tellers…see traditional craftsmen blow glass and fire earthen pottery…or, sample award-winning maple syrup right at the sugar bush where it is made!

Overall health and well-being for guests and the environment is an important balance to strike with nature-based tourism. One way to achieve this balance is to rely on human energy to get us from place to place. Our primary modes of travel are alternative travel modes like hiking, biking or kayaking. We also apply reduce, reuse, recycle ethics and “leave no trace” techniques to our business practices.

To support and sustain the conservation areas we visit, a percentage from each package or day trip cost will be donated to sustainable community development projects or conservation organizations.

Your participation in a Woods & Water Ecotour will not only give you wonderful new stories to take home, but also an understanding of how your dollars will be helping to sustain natural areas and the people who steward them. I’m thrilled to offer you authentic, unique educational programs and experiences.

I look forward to journeying with you!

Yours in nature,

Jessie A. Hadley
Owner/Operator

"Carolina" Mike

Mike grew up in Wisconsin but has been living in Tampa Bay Florida for the past fourteen years.  His 13 years of Army training both is the US and in Germany has forged his zest for adventure. He starting paddling about ten years ago and immediately had that... aha! moment after taking his first sea kayak lesson. He would go on trips all over the state with his "Carolina" kayak and eventually got the nickname Carolina Mike. His knowledge and passion for the sport lead him to quit his job as a graphic artist and become an ACA certifited kayak guide and instructor.  Mike has a way with making everyone feel at ease with his positive and easy-going demeaner. After years of leading trips he decided to open his own kayak touring company and it has been going strong for the past six years. In between teaching private lessons and leading multi sport adventures, Mike works as a facilitator for an outdoor educational program and runs an online adventure club.  

      Marcie West

Her family has been enjoying summers in the Les Cheneaux Island's for over 75 years. She currently lives in Safety Harbor Florida where she teachs art and paddling year round on the waters of Tampa Bay. She's spent the past two years as a part time kayak guide and organizer of a large adventure club. She also enjoys introducing middle school students to the great outdoors through kayak camps and backpacking trips. The past few summers she's hiked The Narrows, kayaked Lake Powell, canyoneered The Black Hole, biked Moab, rafted the Ocoee and backpacked the Rockies.
 

Tim Gallaway a native of Lewiston, Michigan (again, another troll!) and current student at Lake Superior State University with a major in mechanical engineering.  He is an avid skier, sailor, hiker, biker, and kayaker.   Whether drifting across the water in his kayak or traveling by bike rain or shine, he has an unshakable positive attitude and drive to have fun and learn new things. If you don't know how something may work or if you need your bike repaired ask Tim! Always tinkerer and innovator, he can come up with a quick fix even when there is need for it or not!

Pamela Poley, ACSW has been a psychotherapist working with individuals and couples for over twenty years, the last fourteen in her own private practice.  She leads psychospiritual growth groups, women's self-exploration weekends, and a group called 'Reflections of Our Nature', exploring oneself through interacting with nature. In addition she co-leads women's experiential weekends with the Kalamazoo Nature Center. She is an adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University, having taught in the Graduate Social Work Department and Holistic Health Program.  She has been the last one out of the water since age 8.  

Melissa Middleton

Melissa grew up in northern Michigan with parents who are farmers, naturalists, and educators.  Steeped in an appreciation for the natural world, she created a 13 year career as an environmental educator, aquatic ecologist, and regulatory analyst.  She is now owner and practitioner of “Awakenings, Energetic Touch for Health and Spiritual Transformation” located in Marquette, Michigan.  She was called to this new career by her own spiritual and energetic awakening during the healing of a protracted and disabling illness.  Today, she assists others in resonating with their inner wholeness and health, advancing their own healing journey and spiritual transformation. 

Mya
Mya (aka Ninja) is an unknown mix brought home from the shelter.  However, we believe she may be a Canaan Dog??   At least, she certainly appears to fit the description.   Mya is the company's number one greeter, tracker, swimmer, retriever, puller, hunter, kisser, leaper, and by far has the highest density of fur per square inch. Her athleticism and agility surpasses everybody at the shop.   She rarely passes up a belly rub.